These relatively poor swimmers find protection in their ability
to puff up and raise spines along their body when attacked.

Size

8 to 14 inches long, can be as long as 20 inches

Diet

Mollusks, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and other crabs

Range

Found in tropical waters around the world

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs, grassy areas, and mangroves

Predators

Balloonfish have few natural predators. When attacked they swallow water or air to puff up to three times their normal size.

Relatives

Relatives of the balloonfish include the porcupine or burr fishes. There are 19 species that all have well-defined spines and the ability to inflate.

Family life

Balloonfish spawn in the open ocean, and the larvae develop fins and teeth when they are about 3 weeks old. As juveniles they float in seaweed called
sargassum.

Conservation status

Unknown. Balloonfish are not normally consumed by people due to toxins found in their bodies. However, they are slow swimmers and are easily caught from the surface using hand nets. They are sometimes used in Eastern medicines and found in tourist shops, puffed and preserved.

Balloonfish and climate change

Coral reefs are home to balloonfish and many other marine animals. In fact, coral reefs may be the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. But warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification threaten corals and the many animals that depend on them, such as balloonfish.

Visit me at the Aquarium

The New England Aquarium’s Giant Ocean Tank is home to more than 2,000 animals, including sharks, rays, eels, sea turtles, and fishes.